Focus on revitalising Argent Street

Locals are invited to learn more about the new library and cultural precinct project at a community open day on the Civic Centre Plaza next week.

The event will run from 5pm-7pm on February 11, with attendees able to enjoy a free BBQ and drinks and speak with Council staff, Councillors, and project architects, Neeson Murcutt, throughout the evening.

Council's General Manager, James Roncon, said he was looking forward to discussing the project with the community.

"It will be a fairly informal session, people can come along and have a chat regarding the project and give us any questions or suggestions they may have for the project itself, or the broader CBD in general," he said.

"We've stated previously that we could possibly look at doing a 'site swap' of sorts with the Police whereby they would gain the VIC building in exchange for their current Police site, which we would use to provide parking for the new library.

"We'd then offer our visitor services from the new library to bring tourists into the CBD to try and halt the decline of Argent Street.

"98% of online respondents to our survey have said that revitalising Argent Street is important to them, and we believe the site swap could be a very effective and affordable method of achieving that goal.

"The idea has generated a lot of positive discussion already which is great, and we look forward to chatting further with people at the engagement session on Monday."

WHAT: New Library and Cultural Precinct Open Day WHERE: Civic Centre Plaza WHEN: 5pm-7pm, February 11 Free BBQ and drinks provided.